PORTRAIT

“Such a rare pleasure to meet someone who not only lives up to his word but vastly surpasses it. I cannot speak more highly enough of you, your staff and the wonderful house…”

Joe and Maura, Cork

Private Group Testimonials

As an Exclusive Use Private Group Venue we rely on Testimonials and “Word of Mouth” endorsement for our business. For the client looking to book, it’s easy to see the quality on offer at certain venues but not always easy to assess will the venue deliver on whole range of wedding services such as Food and Beverage, staff, ambience, supplier advice, stunning location, grounds, heritage town, access to Cork airport etc.

Our reviews bear testament to Ballinacurra House’s bespoke style – with every room a different theme guaranteeing a signature experience. The following references show we deliver above and beyond the quality on display.

We can supply full contact details for all of the following clients that will attest to the quality on offer of a “Strictly Private” Estate minutes from Kinsale – Irelands Culinary Capital.

We’ve our Regional Conference now behind us and I thought it would be good to share some feedback in relation to the venue. The feedback that I’ve been receiving from staff has been unanimously positive and complimentary. I think the key selling points with Ballinacurra House is:

The owners Des & Lisa McGahan did everything possible to facilitate our requirements – some of which included:-

upgrading their wifi to meet our IT needs

their assistance in sourcing gifts for the conference attendees

their willingness to share their logo artwork which we used for wine bottles

The staff – efficient, warm, obliging and very professional. Declan, the Manager (and Sommelier) is a real gem.

The venue itself has the wow factor – stunning house with a real home feel, gorgeous grounds and very private.

Everyone including myself thought the food top class.

Generously sized bedrooms.

I would recommend that any staff requiring taxis, to book with Kinsale Executive Travel who are knowledgeable of the area.

Would I book Ballinacurra House again? Most definitely.

Apple – Ireland – International Conference

Can I say a big thank you for looking after the Canada Life team for our Sales Conference this month. For our group of 25 it was the perfect venue. You and the teams hospitality was fantastic and everyone commented on the high calibre of the venue, staff and food. The individually styled rooms were a great talking point. Having a venue that’s exclusive to one group at a time and totally private makes a real difference. You really made us feel at home. We look forward to booking Ballinacurra House again and I would recommend the venue to anyone looking for something a bit different.

Canada Life – Ireland – National Sales Conference

Ballinacurra House recently hosted a significant international strategy event for one of my major clients, Amscan Holdings Inc. Hosting delegates from all continents, representing the boards and including the global CEO and President, Ballinacurra offered us the opportunity to plan strategy through to 2015 with no external distractions. Des, Declan and staff were completely unobtrusive, but exceedingly professional. The level of food, accommodation and hospitality was outstanding. Having Ballinacurra as a fully private and exclusive venue was valuable beyond expectation as we had no issues over side meetings, confidential discussions and security. Its a beautiful setting and house and a shining light in the industry. If you need to break out of your thinking and into spaces not dominated by the same boring ‘corporate conference’ then look no further than Ballinacurra House.

Amscan Holdings – Ireland – International Conference

I am writing on behalf of Carbon Group. We booked Ballinacurra House for our Christmas party this year. We availed of the extensive facilities for a team building session in the afternoon. Then everyone was shown to their bedrooms and was blown away by the imagination and décor of each room, with its unique theme e.g. Africa, India, Bali, France etc. We had a pre-dinner drinks reception in the contemporary yet cosy bar and then enjoyed a Murder Mystery game over a delicious 3 course meal. I would highly recommend Ballinacurra House to anyone who would like to mix business and pleasure in a secluded and relaxed environment. The owners Des & Lisa McGahan could not have been more accommodating in the planning leading up to the event and on the night itself. We hope to stay there again soon.

Carbon Group – Ireland – Team Building & Murder Mystery Christmas Party

I just want to let you know what a great time we had at Ballinacurra House last week. The entire staff, and of course Declan in particular, were wonderful, helpful and friendly. They put up with our requests and generally made our stay great. The grounds were spectacular and the kids had free run of the place, which also gave all the adults a huge level of comfort. It probably helped that there was no rain while we were there, but if there was, the party just would have been moved indoors.

Margolis Family – USA – Family Gathering

Here are some of the glowing comments and feedback from the Sawyer Family:

Food at Ballincura was the best he had. Chef uses ingredients from the garden – everything was fresh and wonderful

Everyone, every adult, every child absolutely loved it and said it was one of the times of their lives

Golf at the Old Head is the most magnificent place I’ve, or anyone else, have ever seen

Ireland is so much more beautiful than I ever imagined

But far and away the star of the show was Ballinacurra House, the best place anyone has even stayed at – Ever. Beautiful inside and out, huge rooms, beautiful, usable grounds that the kids play on for hours, we spent all night drinking by the fire pit. But the star of stars was the entire staff, which was beyond unbelievable. We decided to eat three dinners at the house and it was the best food we had. If I were you I would recommend to all your clients to have their meals there – this was a GRAND SLAM DREAM COME TRUE .

Thanks so much Des for all your help, the client was just absolutely delighted about everything. Thank you so much for looking after them so well.

I really appreciate all your work my client Lucille also sends her sincere thanks to you!

Moloney & Kelly Travel for the Sawyer Family – USA – Family Gathering

After several months of searching the internet for a suitable property to host a house party for my 60th birthday I found your website. Having looked at many different properties and venues from castles in Scotland to villas in the South of France, I now think the luck of the Irish was with me when by chance I stumbled across Ballinacurra House. What a find! After a phone call to Des I decided to take a chance and booked the property without prior viewing. This could have proved a disaster but ended up being the best decision I have ever made. Ballinacurra House is wonderful, the grounds are stunning and the food excellent, but this was not what made my Birthday party such a success. It was Lisa and Des’ attention to detail, the wonderful staff who addressed you by name and were always there when you needed them. It was being in a beautiful house that felt like your home and the fact that all my family and friends (who are very well travelled) fell madly in love with the place.

Gillian Spencer – UK – Birthday Party

I have been home for a few weeks and still smile because of the experience we have had with you. It was by far the most amazing family trip we have ever taken. I am struggling to find the best words to express my gratitude. Sometimes in life you meet people and there is just something special about them. You don’t understand it or know what it is but they just put you at ease and make you feel at home. Well, that was your entire staff. You made all of us feel comfortable as if we were family.

Des and Lisa – you both were meant to do what you do. Everything could not have been more perfect! The menus, the staff, the house, all the transfers, all the late night snacking, down to every last detail… I still shake my head in awh. In addition to that your events planning made it just more memorable. I am so glad I followed all of your suggestions. The cooking class, the pottery class, the train ride, scavenger hunt, in house live music, to the private charter sailboat. All was absolutely amazing.

What you offer there is truly special. Any guests looking for something personal, different, private, and family friendly this is your place. Because I feel my words are not doing you justice I am offering my number and email to anyone trying to decide as I was. I cannot tell you how thankful Ii am that we chose you. You, your staff, and your home made our trip what is was…. unforgettable!